Paramhans to go ahead with symbolic offering

The Ram Janambhoomi Nyas on Wednesday asserted that its March 15 programme of donating a shila (carved stone) at the acquired site in Ayodhya would go ahead irrespective of the Supreme Court verdict.

The Nyas also asked the karsevaks to continue with their work even at the cost of facing the wrath of the administration.

"There is no change in my programme of offering a shila for construction of the temple," RJN president Ramchandra Das Paramhans said shortly after the court disallowed any religious ceremony on the acquired land.

Asked if his programme did not amount to contempt of court, the mahant of the Digambar Akhara disagreed and claimed that the apex court had not stopped him from presenting donations.

He said he wanted to go alone to present the "offering". "I will not ask anyone to accompany me. But if someone comes along, I will not stop him," Paramhans said.

To a question, he said he would not confront the administration if it prevented him from going ahead with the programme.

"If we are stopped, we will stop," he said, adding nobody in the administration had asked him not to go ahead with the programme.